Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan has been one of the organization’s most consistent players the last several years. As he has continued to grow as a starter, so has the conversation around his long-term future in Minnesota.
At last year’s MLB trade deadline, the Twins made a lot of moves. There were questions about whether Ryan, Byron Buxton, Pablo López and other veterans would still be around, but that big three has stayed put. And on Friday, it was announced by Twins manager Derek Shelton that Ryan will be Minnesota’s Opening Day starter.
This is a very big honor for the Twins righty and a much-deserved one.
In 2025, Ryan posted a 3.42 ERA in 31 outings. He has been one of the few consistent Twins rotation arms in recent years. While López is also in that discussion, Ryan has the edge due to durability. Injuries have followed López in recent years, including this one, as he will miss the entire 2026 campaign after undergoing elbow surgery.
This reignited the conversation around whether Minnesota should have dealt López last trade deadline or even this offseason, and that conversation has also been surrounding Ryan as well. He will certainly be a player that opposing teams, most notably big-market contenders, will inquire about at the trade deadline if the Twins are well out of the playoff race.
But with the American League Central never having a clear runaway favorite, Minnesota will likely see what the team can do as currently constructed before making any of those decisions.
Last season, the Cleveland Guardians won the American League Central, overcoming a 15.5-game deficit to overtake the Detroit Tigers. The Kansas City Royals finished third in the division at 82-80, and then there was Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox well below the rest of the pack.
Chicago made some moves this offseason to bolster what was another 100-loss roster last season, and Minnesota did not do much. This has led to some believing that the Twins are actually the worst team in the AL Central, but they will have an opportunity to prove that wrong this season, and it will start with Ryan on the bump for opening day against the Baltimore Orioles.
With an 0-0 start, the Twins can turn the page from what was a disappointing 2025 season. They will do it with their ace on the mound as he begins his 6th MLB campaign.